train from Glasgow to Edinburgh in mid-February 2016
Jan 7, 2016, 7:26 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: FL
Programs: AA PLAT, HILTON DIAMOND, MARRIOTT LIFETIME TITANIUM
Posts: 616
train from Glasgow to Edinburgh in mid-February 2016
There are four of us traveling. Do we need to buy our train tickets in advance from Glasgow to Edinburgh in mid-February 2016, or can we just wait and buy them the day we travel?
Jan 7, 2016, 8:10 am
#2
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC GGL, HHonors Diamond, IHG Uninspired, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium, UK AMEX Plat
Posts: 2,152
Assuming no railcards (it's possible a Family Railcard or Two Together one could help, especially if you'll be doing other trips), then an Anytime Day Single (valid on any trains, bought on the day) is £13.60 a person. An Off-Peak Day Single (valid outside of rush hours) is £12.50
In theory, based on the data from brfares.com, there should be some slightly cheaper Advanced Purchase tickets valid on only specific trains, going the long way round. However, I can't get any of the booking websites to show me them
There's also the hint of some group fares, so you might be able to get a discount just for there being 4 of you. Safest would be to ask at the ticket office, rather than using the machine, to get them to check. The group fares are only valid on Scotrail services, but those are probably the ones you want as they're the faster ones
In theory, based on the data from brfares.com, there should be some slightly cheaper Advanced Purchase tickets valid on only specific trains, going the long way round. However, I can't get any of the booking websites to show me them
There's also the hint of some group fares, so you might be able to get a discount just for there being 4 of you. Safest would be to ask at the ticket office, rather than using the machine, to get them to check. The group fares are only valid on Scotrail services, but those are probably the ones you want as they're the faster ones
Jan 7, 2016, 12:07 pm
#3
Moderator: UK and Ireland & Europe
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Biggleswade
Programs: SK*G, Lots of Blue Elsewhere
Posts: 13,611
Just to confuse you, there are four main routes from Glasgow to Edinburgh:
1. Queen Street (High Level) to Edinburgh via Falkirk - Scotrail - 55 minutes every 15 minutes
2. Queen Street (Low Level) to Edinburgh via Airdrie - Scotrail - 1h15 every 30 minutes
3. Central to Edinburgh via Shotts - Scotrail - 1h10-1h30 every 30-60 minutes
4. Central to Edinburgh via Motherwell - CrossCountry and ScotRail - 1h-1h30 every 1-2h
So... Most people take 1. It's the fastest and most comfortable.
2. is useful because it calls at other stations in Glasgow (Partick, Charing Cross, High Street) and the direct journeys are arguably faster. But it is more of a commuter train (quite a comfy one, though).
3. isn't really worthwhile, although the faster trains are a new innovation.
4. is handy if you're near Central Station. The Scotrail trains on this route are really there to give through services to intermediate stops, and to Ayrshire and Renfrewshire (where the trains originate). However... The CrossCountry trains are the ones that sell the cheap advance tickets. So if you're going from near Central Station about the time one of the less regular CrossCountry trains go, then you can get a cheaper fare - from http://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/ or just at the station (ask for a 'CrossCountry Only' ticket). These trains only take 5 minutes more than the Queen Street shuttle, but are much less frequent.
But most people just turn up at Queen Street and use the shuttle that runs every 15 minutes.
1. Queen Street (High Level) to Edinburgh via Falkirk - Scotrail - 55 minutes every 15 minutes
2. Queen Street (Low Level) to Edinburgh via Airdrie - Scotrail - 1h15 every 30 minutes
3. Central to Edinburgh via Shotts - Scotrail - 1h10-1h30 every 30-60 minutes
4. Central to Edinburgh via Motherwell - CrossCountry and ScotRail - 1h-1h30 every 1-2h
So... Most people take 1. It's the fastest and most comfortable.
2. is useful because it calls at other stations in Glasgow (Partick, Charing Cross, High Street) and the direct journeys are arguably faster. But it is more of a commuter train (quite a comfy one, though).
3. isn't really worthwhile, although the faster trains are a new innovation.
4. is handy if you're near Central Station. The Scotrail trains on this route are really there to give through services to intermediate stops, and to Ayrshire and Renfrewshire (where the trains originate). However... The CrossCountry trains are the ones that sell the cheap advance tickets. So if you're going from near Central Station about the time one of the less regular CrossCountry trains go, then you can get a cheaper fare - from http://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/ or just at the station (ask for a 'CrossCountry Only' ticket). These trains only take 5 minutes more than the Queen Street shuttle, but are much less frequent.
But most people just turn up at Queen Street and use the shuttle that runs every 15 minutes.